Christmas cards for the super, 2015

December 7, 2015 5:40 AM

How to tip building staff -- not just cash amounts, but the logistics of it.

Two part question: how much do we tip (which I think we have figured out), and how do we do it?

We moved to building this year with a doorman and a responsive super, and we're trying to hash out holiday tips. I've read this thread. However, our building isn't as well-appointed as anon's (though we're also in Brooklyn), and when I say doorman I really mean that there's a 24/7 desk at the front door which receives packages and inconsistently makes non-residents check in. No one is carrying boxes or flagging down a taxi or etc..

That said, the tipping breakdown from the other thread seems fine to me:

• Super, resident manager: $75–$175 on average (broad range: $50–$500)
• Doorman, concierge: $25–$150 on average (broad range: $10–$1,000)
• Porter, handyman: $20–$30 on average (broad range: $10–$75)
• Garage attendant: $25–$75 on average (broad range $15–$100)

Does that seem right to folks, even though it's a less swanky building? We really just have doorpersons and the super.

Secondly, how on earth do I get tips to people? I can probably drop a check off with the management company for the super, but for the people at the front desk? Do I just stalk them until I've crossed all the ones I know of off my list -- even the late night shift? If I can pull a list of names from the management company, can I drop off Christmas cards with checks en-mass and trust they'll get to the right people?

Explanations of logistics greatly appreciated.

Asking neighbors about a general gift fund is also on my todo.

posted by postcommunism to Work & Money (6 answers total)

Best answer: I buy cards for all the people we're tipping and put the tip in the card. Then, I just take the pile of cards down to the front desk and ask the person working the front desk to make sure everyone gets their card (we have the same kind of building staffing that you do). I would tip the porters/handymen at least as much as the door staff, but the rest of tipping chart you posted looks fine to me.
posted by snaw at 7:11 AM on December 7, 2015

Best answer: Seconding Snaw. My building only has a super who does not live on the premises, but comes by once a week or so to check up on the place/do the trash collection/etc., and also is on-call for when things bust. And round about this time every year, a small pile of cards starts forming on the table he's left in the hallway for packages, and then at some point they disappear and there's a note in its place from the super wishing us a blessed New Year, and that takes care of it.

Putting the tip in a card, which you then give to the manager/front desk type person to distribute, will do it.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:36 AM on December 7, 2015

My building has a staff of 8. I give everyone $100.
posted by brujita at 9:44 AM on December 7, 2015

If my super lives in the building is it okay to just slide the card under his door?

Also I rent - Is sending some kind of non-cash thing like a fruit basket, etc. to the property management office a good thing to do?
posted by Gev at 9:57 AM on December 7, 2015

I leave the envelopes on the super's desk.
posted by brujita at 9:58 AM on December 7, 2015

Gev, nope, cash is king.
posted by kamikazegopher at 11:39 AM on December 7, 2015